temperamental

adjective

ˌtem-p(ə-)rə-ˈmen-tᵊl How to pronounce temperamental (audio)
Definition of temperamentalnext
1
as in moody
frequently influenced by moods and especially bad moods one of those temperamental actresses who can make life difficult for everyone around her

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly stock prices have been pretty temperamental lately, often fluctuating wildly

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of temperamental The result is a fascinating deconstruction of the documentary process, with Pretsell both charmed and exasperated by his mercurial and temperamental subject. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 16 Aug. 2026 Weather can be temperamental in the spring, but wildlife emerges from winter slumbers at this time of year. — Maryam Siddiqi, Travel + Leisure, 14 Aug. 2026 As the lead singer of Connect 3, Shane can be temperamental and arrogant. — Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026 Ormund, the snooty, temperamental head of House Hightower, is shown charred beyond recognition in the episode's final moments. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for temperamental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for temperamental
  1. moody
  2. volatile
  3. impulsive
  4. unpredictable
  5. unstable
Adjective
  • Cooper’s is a moody, mysterious cocktail space with a menu full of unexpected Guanacaste ingredients.
    — Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Investor uses a stylus and tablet to analyze stock market and crypto charts on a large screen, highlighting trading, finance insights, and market data in a moody, focused workspace.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of moody
Adjective
  • Technology stocks — a key driver of rallies in recent years — have been notably volatile in 2026.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 11 Nov. 2026
  • In the case of foods and certain beverages, breakdown of the amino acids results in volatile Strecker aldehydes, which are responsible for aroma, and in aminoketones, which impart flavor and coloration, particularly browning.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of volatile
Adjective
  • But last Christmas, the designer went out on an impulsive—and what would prove to be fateful—run through Paris along the Seine, the city’s famous central waterway.
    — Max Berlinger, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2026
  • In many instances Rama approaches difficult situations with restraint and adherence to dharma (righteous conduct), whereas Lakshmana is expressive, impulsive, quick to anger, and distrustful.
    — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of impulsive
Adjective
  • Perhaps the arrival of fall and winter, and with it rougher and more unpredictable seas, will reduce the flow.
    — Pedro Portal, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Potential applications include manufacturing, space exploration and search-and-rescue missions, where robots may need to navigate unpredictable environments, manipulate objects and adapt to changing requirements.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of unpredictable
Adjective
  • The glow of many Turners has dwindled, thanks to unstable pigments, but here is an immaculate exception.
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2026
  • And while unstable coalitions repeatedly fused and dissolved in the halls of power, outside these halls pipes burst and roads crumbled.
    — Ryan Lenora Brown, Christian Science Monitor, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of unstable

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temperament
temperamental
temperaments
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Cite this Entry

“Temperamental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temperamental. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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